On 13 December
Dzmitry Akulenka, Judge of the Leninski District Court of Mahiliou, didn’t let
Aliaksei Yauhenau take part in a trial as a representative of the Independent
Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry, and even expelled him from the court
room. Relatives of the three people who had perished because of the break of a
high-voltage wire in the Horki district were removed from the court room as
well.

As a result, only the judge and the plaintiff, Volha Valyntsava, who lost two
sons and husband, and three representatives of the defendant, state enterprise “Mahiliouenerha”,
were left in the court room.

According to human rights defender Barys Bukhel, such actions violate the
legislation on trade-unions and hinder the implementation of provisions of the
trade union charter at court. According to its charter, the trade union protects
not only social, but also social-economical rights and legal interests of its
members. That’s why the plaintiff filed an appeal with the head of the court.

According to Mr. Bukhel, it is not the first case when representatives of
ITUREI are not admitted to trials. In the first half of 2011 he wasn’t admitted
to take part in the trial on the lawsuit of a mother of two minor children, who
was evicted from a hostel without receiving any other accommodation. The trial
was held at the Minsk Region Court
and was won by the woman.

According to unofficial information, the administration of the Mahiliou Region Court
decided not to admit the trade union lawyers to any trials except those
concerning labor arguments. Mr. Bukhel considers such actions as inadmissible
and is going to appeal against them.